The Osaka Evessa began the weekend in third place in the bj-league's Western Conference, trailing the second-place Rizing Fukuoka and the defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings.
With seven straight victories and a pair of weekend wins, including Sunday's 91-81 triumph over the visiting Rizing, the Evessa have climbed into first place.
Osaka (26-16) has a slightly higher winning percentage (.619) than Ryukyu (.614).